The Choice of a Lifetime

In this useful guide, marriage and family therapist Kyle N. Weir walks you through every step of the adoption process, from selecting an adoption agency, to understanding how to talk to your child about adoption using the No Less/No More principle, to finding therapy services that will allow your child to develop secure bonds with family and friends. Most important, you'll encounter a fascinating, first-of-its-kind look at the seven salient factors Weir has identified as critical predictors of a child's long-term adoption outcome: age of placement, placement history, medical and special needs, parental care history, demographic variables, and developmental issues. Understanding how these circumstances affect the ability of a child to attach to caregivers, behave appropriately, and formulate an enduring self-identity, will help you ensure a fulfilling relationship with your child.